Why You Should Adopt A Former Racing Greyhound
Photo Gallery Page 1- "Our Boys"
Photo Gallery Page 2 -"Our Girls"
Below you will find pictures of greyhounds that have been adopted in the past from our kennel. If you adopted a greyhound from "Greyhound Adoption Kennel" and would like it to be on our website please send a picture and information by e-mail to:
or
"Greyhound Adoption Kennel"
11551 Deal Road
North Fort Myers, Florida 33917
"Tango" at the beach
Pictures of "Tango" at Dog
Beach.....we have had him for about two months and he has taken
over our hearts.
Steve & Susan
Sean, Curly & Abby
"Sadie"
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Check out my Roman Nose...
We are so happy with Spuds. He's a very curious guy and he greets us with such enthusiasm. When they come in from outside, George go straight for his biscuit, but Spuds will always come over to greet me and then go for his biscuit. He's still adjusting, but he's coming along. We love them both. Keep up the good work.
Jeff & Sue Hedges
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P.S. There's one of Kim & Derek's Shelby which was taken @ our house this past Memorial Day Weekend. If she doesn't already appear in your alumni book, please feel free to use it, you know Kim would like it, too
"Shelby"
Hello Donna!
Thank you again for the opportunity to adopt such a great dog! Riley, formerly Wolverine Ariel, has settled in quite nicely over here in Sebring. She's fascinated with our cats and loves to investigate around the yard. We are so happy to have found your organization and hope to adopt again in the future!
Kimberly
Hi Donna,
I just wanted to let you know how Lucy, formerly known as "Binky" was doing. We love her she is too cute! She definitely has a naughty streak but one look at those big eyes just melts your heart :) She is the biggest couch potato. We can be sure to find her sprawled out on the bed or on the couch. She is getting along with our two cats, Tony (shown on bed) & Manny, who have no problem showing her who's boss and putting her in her place. Boy is she starting to play like a puppy and she is kind of, but not really, getting the hang of fetch. Boy does she want to be best friends with everybody!!! I have attached a couple photos that I thought you might like!
Thanks again,
Kristine and Andrew
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"Moqui"
Hi Donna,
Just a note to let you know how our girl is doing... We took her in Thursday to the vet and we picked her up on Friday she got spayed and her rabies shot... She is an awesome girl and just fit right in, the trip home was good she handled the long car ride and hotels really well. It was funny to see her reaction to snow and stairs but she is getting used to both.
Thank you again she is a real joy to have...
Aurelie and Dave
My name is:
"Flash"
"Lexi Rose" aka Roswell Episode
Adopted May 7, 2003.
Lexi Rose chose us. We looked at many dogs, but only Lexi seemed like she EXPECTED to go home with us. Shortly after we adopted her, we had to leave town for a couple of weeks and left her with a couple who owned a Labrador puppy. That puppy really changed Lexi. When we got home she was playful and energized. I have tremendous respect for her. She carries herself with such poise. At the dog park, she investigates everything then finds a good vantage point to sit and watch all the others. She makes the rounds of the people. One by one she meets all the people and then starts again. She is obedient to gentle voice commands, comes running for all she is worth to a dog whistle, and loves us every day. She has added so much to our lives.
Thank you, Donna, for all you do.
Bob & Becky Morley
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Hi Donna!
I finally started using our new digital camera and wanted to show you how beautiful Melvin (formerly "Unchained") is doing! We absolutely LOVE this dog!!! He has been the perfect companion to the kids and me since we got him last June! He is an absolutely SWEET dog!!!! Keep up the good work for the precious babies!
Sincerely,
Patsy Arnold and family
"Bonnie"
Dear Donna,
After six months, she owns the house along with me and
all that goes with it
Thank you for another winner.
P.S. She is extremely vocal & likes to run
Robert Stubbs
A Tribute for "Mandy"
Dear Donna,
I wanted to contact you and let you know Mandy, (Quality Style" was her racing name), a shy, beautiful black 3 - yr. old greyhound I adopted from you nine years ago. She had been previously adopted but was returned when the owners were moving out of state. I was able to get her registered with the NGA but never able to get any of her racing records. Mandy went to the Rainbow Bridge on May 18th, after an accident in the house caused her to rupture two vertebrae leaving her paralyzed. She was in extreme pain and the vet suggested putting her down as being the humane thing to do under the circumstances. It was a heartbreaking decision for we were planning her 12th birthday party on May 27th. I miss her terribly and "see" her in all her familiar places.
I'd like to update you on our life with Mandy. Right after adopting her we moved to southern Missouri. Two years later we moved to our present address. Mandy shared our time and attention with a red cocker spaniel who was two years older. They became very close and I was glad they were. The two of them would race through the rooms.
They also like to chase a ball throughout the house and Mandy liked to take a soft squeaky toy and toss it into the air. She did this one time with my mother's fake fur cuffed hat. We had birthday parties for our dogs each year and Mandy liked the extra attention. Yes, she did wear as party hat.
Anytime we traveled, the dogs went with us. I tried boarding them but wasn't happy with the care they received. Our babies went with us to Maryland & to N.Y. twice when our son was playing minor league baseball. They've gone to Branson, MO. a number times with us as well as making countless trips to Fl. to visit my mother.
We learned Mandy had a thyroid deficiency early on that we treated her for all her life. We found she was allergic to red food dye and made certain all food and snacks did not contain that ingredient. We helped lessen her fear of storms by comforting her and she did quite well. She could tell a storm was coming long before we knew about it. We battled with her oral care and she had dental work done when needed. She started slowing down in recent months due to arthritis, cataracts and a slight heart murmur. It came on gradually, but was more noticeable after the cocker spaniel died a year and a half ago. We got another cocker spaniel and then another and Mandy enjoyed having them around too. She was now the "big sister". She'd come out from the bedroom every so often and give each one a "kiss". When she wanted to stretch out of the sofa, the others gave her plenty of room. They took her toys, (she was good natured about it) and if they snatched one of her treats she wouldn't protest.
Mandy liked to be warm, (could that be her Florida roots?), so she wore a blanket coat to go outside to relieve herself along with a baby hat when it was cold, a lightweight coat to keep the rain off her back and a girls' cardigan sweater buttoned up the back to lounge around the house in during the frosty winter months. She was also adorned with fancy collars and bows on holidays. At first she was so shy she wouldn't come into the bedroom and getting on the bed was unheard of ! I kept coaxing her and finally she jumped up on the bed. She was in heaven from then on ! She wouldn't jump on motel room beds until I patted the bed and told her it was alright.
Mandy was a slow, finicky eater and we did our best to get her to speed up a little. She wouldn't hear of it, so we just had to keep the others away while she leisurely ate her food. Mandy continued to eat twice a day like she did when she was racing.
We didn't take her for walks except around our yard which is spacious. She was never allowed off the lead or tied out and we stayed with her each time she was outside. A lot of noise or people frightened her so we did not take her when we participated in any of the various greyhound events held in our area.
When we left the house we always had a radio playing and she seemed to like that. When we returned the other dogs would bark, but Mandy would do a little "dance". She'd spin around and act like she was going to pounce. This led to the accident that paralyzed her. She forgot she wasn't as young and agile as she used to be and lost her footing.
I know I have been lengthy with this, but I think Mandy was certainly deserving of this tribute. She was a beautiful, regal dog who brought so much joy into our lives. I have trouble believing she is gone ! It all happened so quickly. I miss her so much !!!
Please know that Mandy was very, very loved. Someday I hope to adopt another one of these magnificent creatures. I feel privileged to have experienced being Mandy's mom.
Thank you for all you do to help these beautiful animals find loving homes after they are through racing.
Pictures above are Mandy wearing her holiday collar for 2005. The other picture is in her "Pretty in Pink" sweater taken in March of this year.
Sincerely,
Edys Stine
Independence, MO
Mandy's Birthday 2004
Mandy's Christmas 2004
"Kitte" (3yrs) left & " Beta " (8yrs) right
Make GREAT traveling companions
Debbie Harvey
"Pearl"
Hi Donna,
Just thought you'd get a kick out of these pictures of Pearl.
She is doing so good and we absolutely love her !
Best wishes to you through the holidays..
The McGary Family & Pearl
Here is a picture of my greyhound Shane! (At the kennel he went by "Harrison".) I adopted him in the end of July '05 (about a month and a half ago). After a childhood spent begging my parents for a dog, college finally gave me the freedom and ability to pursue my own dream of adopting a greyhound. After years of researching the breed, I was fully prepared when the opportunity finally came around for me to get my greyhound. After one visit to Donna's kennel, I knew that was the place I wanted to adopt from. Less than a week after that first visit, I found my dog on the website.
The second his picture was posted and I saw it... it actually took my breath away! I knew I had found MY dog- "Harrison". Now named Shane, he has adapted wonderfully to retirement and I couldn't imagine being in college without him! It is a rare moment when we have to part from each other. He is such a blessing to me every single day of my life and just means the world to me. I do indeed love all animals, but there is something very special about a greyhound. Perhaps their kind, gentle, loving, and regal yet absolutely goofy at times personalities! I know I'm hooked for life!!!
Kathy & Shane
We adopted Gus in August 1998, after losing my almost 14-year-old greyhound, Gwen, to cancer. Gus loves to work the crowd, moving from person to person, leaning against them and giving them the “I love you” look with those big brown eyes. He’s a lap dog who loves to cuddle with us and our cats. Blaze, 4, is the baby of the family. While greyhounds don’t bark much, Blaze likes to converse, “rooing” at people as they approach him on the street. He also uses the same technique when it’s time for his walk and if dinner isn’t being served quickly enough to suit him. He, too, loves to cuddle and is generally found sprawled on the bed — preferably with a human — or upside down on the living room couch.
And then there’s Harry, about 12. A hairless Chinese crested, he landed at the Greyhound Adoption Kennel after being turned in to the Lee County Humane Society in 1995. He was languishing there so the then-director knew who couldn’t say no to him. He called Donna. She kept him a while but when the male greyhound he’d bonded with died, he went into mourning. Donna, in turn, knew who to call who wouldn’t say no and I wound up with a small, hairless dog with a ton of attitude who promptly started bossing my two greyhounds around. Today we have three greyhounds and he’s in charge of all of them as well as the cats. Because he has no hair, he needs clothing to stay warm in the air conditioning and to prevent sunburn. He’s become something of a clothes horse — I mean, dog. Here he is in his Dalmatian outfit.
Jim, Gus, Blaze, Harry & Karen "Harry"
Harry the hairless Chinese crested needs no encouragement to mug for the camera. When a professional photographer came to Fort Myers with a full set of props, Harry readily donned a Harley outfit and posed on the motorcycle. When you’ve got it, you’ve got it and Harry is fully convinced he got more of it than most.
Rudy, a black male joined our household in March 2000, right after we lost our beloved Blue, and he seemed extremely lonesome, so peach came here about a month later. She's a white with fawn 78 pound female (never seen a bigger one yet), and this dog thrives on affection. Donna personally selected this one for me, and when I saw her, I didn't even bother going to the barn. Peach and Rudy are so important that we chose those names for our email address! (peachandrudy@earthlink.net) . Rudy is nine now and Peach eight and both going strong. They love the dog park in Cape Coral. It gets extremely crowded on our small double bed (smaller than queen) when Peach jumps up there at about 2 in the morning, but we love it. Rudy will not leave the ground so, by his own volition, no furniture for him. It amazes me that so many people out there don't know what they're missing by not sharing their life with a Greyhound. .Not to mention the great feeling that you actually saved him (or her).
Jay Hamlin
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Update On
"Rudy"
4/25/1996 - 6/21/07
It boggles the mind to think how many additional pets would have been adopted had the pet owners not experienced euthanasia. It's devastating, to say the least, especially when witnessed first hand, as we have a couple times with our beloved greyhounds. Now, I realize that it's called 'putting them to sleep" and that they supposedly feel no pain, but that is little satisfaction for the animal that will no longer ever be loved , fed, played with, slept with. etc. And one has to live with the decision in pain. In my instance, I always wondered if I did the right thing, or acted too early. The thought of having acted too early tears me apart. And what really blows my mind is how they trust you, even when the needle goes in, as they have had many of them for shots, etc. I hate myself for having done this and for dumping the carcass into a hole with many other unfortunate creatures, sort of a burial like Mozart’s, with limestone thrown in to cover the decay.
I derive little consolation from hearing that "you did the right thing": the suffering argument, and so forth. The only comfort that I receive from all this are the pictures that I have taken and entered into my hard drive for screen show purposes. Rudy, who was put down on 6-21-07 is currently my desk top wallpaper. He was a blackie, who raced at Rayhnam Park near Boston, having actually won about 10 races . When Rudy arrived here on March 20, 2000, he was afraid of men. I learned he was trained by a woman, so I would assume the men took it out on him for losing. I actually even talked to the trainer and she said he was a good kennel dog but was a stopper, meaning he got passed on the final stretch. I guess being a good kennel dog implies that he slept all day and night and did not give anyone trouble!! He was actually in the twilight of his racing career , just like thousands of them are every year, which in turn means facing either adoption or you know what. We had 7 wonderful years with Rudy (racing name was "Kelsos Rudyard"), and finally he slowed down, his hind quarters started to atrophy, among other problems, and it got to the point where he did not want to sleep with us, and would go off to a far corner of the house to sleep. That one I can't figure out. I would have concluded that if ever he needed our presence, it would be at night. He was suffering, panting heavily, and about the only thing that kept it from getting worse was the drugs. I was told that Rudy was sent to us by Blue, our first greyhound who passed on three days before we adopted Rudy. Peach, our other greyhound, is now alone, wondering where her best friend is. If only we could talk to the animals.
There are many important facets to my life as of now, such as a wife, three kids, two grandchildren, computers, running and jogging, working as a volunteer, and greyhounds. I hope that all of these stay intact, until my number is up. I guess I forgot one other thing---napping!!
"Noble" 13 yrs. old
with his buddy A.J.
NOBLE
MY GREYHOUND NOBLE PASSED TO RAINBOW BRIDGE.
GOD I MISS HIM..... GOD I MISS HIM....
WHAT AM I TO DO .
GOD I MISS HIM... GOD I MISS HIM....
I STILL SEE NOBLE IN MY DREAMS.
LIFE MOVES ON IM TOLD.
TWIST A KNIFE IN MY CHEST TURN IT BACK AND FORTH THATS THE PAIN I FEEL.
GOD I MISS HIM. GOD I MISS HIM....
.................................................................BY JAMES DEWANE
Woof
Donna from Greyhound Adoption Kennel used to call me Boinga-Boinga.
I’ve lived in my adopted home for almost two years now and I still do the boinga-boinga often.
I’m MD’s Cobbler, known to my friends as “Cobbler” or “Cob.”
I am registered with the National Greyhound Association and have tattoos in my ears that show when I was born (OK, whelped) and my birth order.
I used to make my living racing at Phoenix Greyhound Park in Arizona and Palm Beach Kennel Club in Florida.
When my race days were over, I stayed in foster homes for a while until I adopted my people and a Weimaraner named Mistie. I still love to run, but it's more fun if there's some real competition or a furry little critter to chase.
My people say I'm very affectionate and protective and can tell when my female person is about to have an epileptic seizure. I don't know what epilepsy is, but sometimes I feel very strongly that I should keep her down on the sofa or not let her move without me by her side.
Some folks say that Greyhounds don't care to get in the water. I'm not sure what they mean by that, because I surely do love a dip when the weather's hot!
Some other folks are spreading the word that Greyhounds are not good with small children. I don't know where they get that idea. I always look forward to caring for Derek when he comes to visit.
Donna,
I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for caring for me and to let you know how I’m doing in my new home. Mom and Dad changed my name to Margo. They say it’s quicker to say when they call me. I’ve been feeling very well and you might be able to tell from these pictures that I’ve gained a little weight.
We have a nice big yard and I really love to hang out there: 
Cobbler and Mistie and I all get along quite well. Mistie and I have lots of fun playing.
Cobbler is a pretty nice guy, but he insists on being Boss Dog. Go figure. This is us together:
Mom and Dad got a mini van just for taking us on rides. One day I sneaked into the “Greymobile” and refused to get out until Dad took me for a ride. It worked. They’re both pretty easy marks. A couple of days a week, they take us to South Gulf Cove where there are no cars and let us run; it’s really great. Here’s a photo of me in “the boonies”:
Mom and Dad say they are still suffering from the “Potato Chip Syndrome” and they will probably come to see you again pretty soon. They said they might bring me to help pick out a new buddy. Oh, boy, a ride! My favorite!
I’m looking forward to seeing you.
Margaret Lox (aka Margo)
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rogerwinans/
"Garnett" at the beach
with Amanda
"Pappy"
owned by Richard & Linda
"Pepper"
A sweet gentleman born in March 95 and adopted by Joseph Baker in Nov. 2000 at Greyhound Adopton Kennel. Now lives in Pt. Charlotte. He's our pride & joy.
"Crystal" with our daughter Miriam
who we adopted on July 27, 2003 from Donna at
Greyhound Adoption Kennel
Kai-Mu
Adopted July 2002
Never Forget! I enjoy sleeping on the couch during the day & sharing the king size bed with the whole family at night. I love my new life so much. Thank you for taking me away from the track so that I could begin this great new life! Thank You for what you do for all the other dogs, too -- I know they are forever grateful!
Love,
Sandy (a.k.a. Regall Kai-Mu)
This is me now
June 2005
and just a little more spoiled !
"Skeeter, Hiker & Buddy" Bell
Hiker and his favorite girl, "Holly
"Sophia"
These pictures sent in by
Gary & Holly Bell
My name is:
"Molly"
aka Centipede
I was adopted on 3/4/07
I belong to Janet & Neil Brussard
Lawrenceville, Ga.
"Violet"
"Roy & Dee Issacson"
CulPrit and his new friend Sheba.
Sandy Kozel
Josie, Jack & Fred
A GREYHOUND'S PRAYER:
When I die,
Let it be as a pet,
So that someone,
Will remember me.
---Kathy Porter
Wishing you heaven in your heart, starlight in your soul, and angels in your life. Peace.
My girls: The picture of me with Mary Belle, on my left, and Ava, the little greyhound on the right,
was taken a year or so ago when Ava was feeling fine. 4/25/2004
Don Moore
It was tough saying good-bye to Ava, but it had to be
She was my beautiful girl !
You can email me @ moore@sun-herald.com